title: N-hexane alters the maturation of oocytes and induces apoptosis in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed to determine the effects of n-hexane on the maturation of mouse oocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell culture was used to observe the maturation of mouse oocytes and CLSM was employed to determine their apoptosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and extrusion of the first polar body in mouse oocytes were significantly inhibited by n-hexane. After fertilization, the number of eggs in the mouse was significantly reduced by n-hexane. Mitochondrial membrane potentials (ΔΨm) were altered in mouse oocytes that were leading to apoptosis of the oocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  N-hexane might have affected the maturation of oocytes, causing alteration of ΔΨm and leading to apoptosis which maybe one of the most important mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Environment and Health of Fujian key universities, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian, China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yu Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wen Xiang
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen Chang
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D006586:Hexanes / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006586:Hexanes; C026385:n-hexane
keywords: Fertilization; Maturation; Mitochondrial membrane potential; N-hexane